betta fish not eating; lies sideways

Question
I have had my betta, Ariel, for 6 months and he is in a 10 gallon tank with a filter and an airator.  I was not changing his water often and he got an infection in his eye.   The pet store gave me some natural antibiotics (tea tree, etc).  That cleared up the infection but he now has not eating and lies sideways most of the time.  I had the water tested and the pet store said it was fine.  I now change the water (1/3) every week but I am worried about him.  He has been this way for 3 weeks.  And, under his gills he is a bit swollen.   Is he slowly dying?


Answer
Hi Christine;

The swollen area below his gills may be his belly getting bloated from constipation. Get his temperature up to 80 or 82 degrees. It will help his digestion and metabolism improve so he can heal. His body may still be affected by whatever caused his previous illness. If you don't have a heater for his tank, get one right away. Try feeding him green peas too. Get a frozen green pea and thaw it in some warm water. Pop it out of it's little round shell and feed him little chunks of it.

Hope he feels better soon.....

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Christine Robbins

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